Widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, it is found in Asia, Europe, and North America.

The fungus was first described as a species of Hydnum by Elias Magnus Fries in his 1815 work Observationes mycologicae.

[9] Canadian mycologist Kenneth A. Harrison published the variety H. scrobiculatum var.

[13] Fruitbodies of Hydnellum scrobiculatum have centrally depressed caps measuring 2–6 cm (0.8–2.4 in) in diameter.

[20][21] Hydnellum scrobiculatum fruits singly, in clusters, or in fused groups in both coniferous and mixed forest.

[12] In the United Kingdom, it is considered vulnerable according to the biodiversity action plan for stiped hydnoid fungi,[22] and endangered according to the Red Data List.